Avocent Vertiv AutoView 2108 User guide

Avocent® AutoView™
2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch
Installer/User Guide

Technical Support Site
If you encounter any installation or operational issues with your product, check the pertinent section of
this manual to see if the issue can be resolved by following outlined procedures. For additional assistance,
visit https://www.VertivCo.com/en-us/support/.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Product Overview 1
1.1 Features and Benefits 1
1.1.1 Reduce cable bulk 1
1.1.2 IQ modules 1
1.1.3 Multiplatform support 1
1.1.4 User interfaces 1
1.1.5 Security 2
1.1.6 Virtual media and smart card support 2
1.1.7 IPv4 and IPv6 capabilities 2
1.1.8 Access the AutoView™ switch using a standard TCP/IP network 2
1.1.9 Upgradeable 2
1.1.10 Two-tier expansion 3
1.1.11 KVM remote access 3
1.1.12 Avocent® DSView™ management software plug-in 3
1.1.13 Local video scaling 3
1.1.14 Encryption 3
2 Installation 5
2.1 Setting Up Your Network 5
2.1.1 Keyboards 5
2.2 Quick Setup 5
2.3 Connecting the AutoView™ Switch Hardware 5
2.4 Tiering Your Switch Using an IQ Module 7
2.4.1 Adding a tiered switch 9
2.4.2 Adding a tiered legacy switch 10
2.5 Configuring Your Switch 13
2.6 Setting Up the Built-in Web Server 13
2.7 Connecting to the OBWI Through a Firewall 13
2.8 Verifying Power Status 14
2.9 Adjusting Mouse Settings on Target Devices 14
3 Local OSCAR™ User Interface 15
3.1 Main Dialog Box Functions 15
3.1.1 Viewing and selecting ports and devices 15
3.1.2 Viewing switch system status 16
3.1.3 Selecting devices 17
3.1.4 Soft switching 17
3.1.5 Navigating the OSCAR interface 17
3.1.6 Connecting local virtual media 18
3.2 Setup Dialog Box Functions 19
3.2.1 Changing the display behavior 19
3.2.2 Controlling the status flag 20
Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | i

3.2.3 Setting the keyboard country code 21
3.2.4 Assigning device types 21
3.2.5 Assigning device names 21
3.2.6 Configuring network settings 22
3.3 Commands Dialog Box Functions 22
3.3.1 Selecting devices for scan mode 23
3.3.2 Enabling or disabling scan mode 23
3.3.3 Viewing and disconnecting user connections 24
3.3.4 Displaying version information and upgrading firmware 24
4 OBWI Operation 27
4.1 Using the OBWI 28
4.2 Viewing System Information 28
4.3 Generating a Certificate 29
4.4 Tools - Rebooting and Upgrading 30
4.4.1 Rebooting the switch 30
4.4.2 Upgrading switch firmware 30
4.4.3 Saving and restoring configurations and user databases 31
4.5 Property Identity and Location Settings 32
4.6 Viewing Version Information 32
4.7 Network Settings 32
4.8 SNMP Settings 33
4.9 Auditing Event Settings 33
4.10 Setting Event Destinations 34
4.11 Ports Settings - Configuring an IQ Adaptor 34
4.11.1 Deleting IQ adaptors 34
4.11.2 Upgrading IQ adaptors 34
4.12 Launching a Session 35
4.12.1 General sessions settings 35
4.12.2 Local user account settings 35
4.12.3 Virtual media session settings 36
4.13 DSView Software Settings 37
5 LDAP 38
5.1 Configuring LDAP in the User Interface 38
5.1.1 LDAP Overview parameters 38
5.1.2 LDAP Search parameters 39
5.1.3 LDAP Query parameters 39
5.2 Appliance and Target Device Query Modes 40
5.3 Setting up Active Directory for Performing Queries 42
5.4 Active Sessions 43
5.5 Closing a Session 43
6 KVM Video Viewer 45
7 Terminal Operation 47
Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | ii

7.1 Network Configuration 47
7.2 Other Console Main Menu Options 47
7.2.1 Firmware management 48
7.2.2 Enable debug messages 48
7.2.3 Set/Change password 48
7.2.4 Restore factory defaults 48
7.2.5 Reset appliance 48
7.2.6 Set web interface ports 48
7.2.7 Exit 48
8 Appendices 49
Appendix A: MIB SNMP Traps 49
Appendix B: Setup Port Pinouts 51
Appendix C: Using Serial IQ Modules 52
Appendix D: Sun Advanced Key Emulation 56
Appendix E: UTP Cabling 57
Appendix F: Technical Specifications 59
Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | iii

Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | iv

1 PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 switch is an analog keyboard, video and mouse (KVM)
switch that provides flexible, centralized local access to data center servers. The 2108/2216 switch models
also provide centralized remote access to data center servers when used in conjunction with the optional
Remote Access Key (RAK-key).
1.1 Features and Benefits
1.1.1 Reduce cable bulk
With device densities continually increasing, cable bulk remains a major concern for network
administrators. The switch significantly reduces KVM cable volume in the rack by utilizing the innovative
IQ module and single, industry-standard Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling. This allows a higher
device density while providing greater airflow and cooling capacity.
1.1.2 IQ modules
The switch supports IQ modules that are powered directly from the target device and provide Keep Alive
functionality when the switch is not powered. The IQ modules with CAT5 design dramatically reduce
cable clutter while providing optimal resolution and video settings. The built-in memory of IQ modules
simplifies configuration by assigning and retaining unique device names and Electronic ID (EID) numbers
for each attached device.
PS/2 and USB IQ modules are available allowing direct KVM connectivity to devices. A VMC IQ module is
also available. The switch is offered with 8 or 16 ARI ports that are used to connect IQ modules to the
switch. Then utilizing the IQ modules, you can attach additional switches to expand your switch system.
This flexibility allows you to add capacity as your data center grows.
1.1.3 Multiplatform support
Avocent® IQ module intelligent cabling can be used to connect local devices to the switch. PS/2 and USB
options are available. For more information, please refer to the appropriate installer/user guide for your
product or visit https://www.VertivCo.com for more information.
1.1.4 User interfaces
The switch is equipped with two “point-and-click” interfaces to manage the switch locally. They are the
local user interface (UI), referred to as the Avocent® OSCAR™ graphical user interface (GUI) and the on-
board web interface (OBWI). Using the configuration options provided by these interfaces, you can tailor
your switch to your specific application. The OBWI can also be used to access and control any attached
devices and handle all basic KVM needs remotely.
NOTE: For the 2108/2216 switch models, remote KVM sessions via the OBWI require the installation of
the RAK-key.
OSCAR™ graphical user interface
The OSCAR user interface, accessed using the local port, features intuitive menus and operation modes
to configure your switch and devices. Devices can be identified by name, EID or port number.
Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | 1

1.1.5 Security
The recommended usage for the switch is in a data center infrastructure protected by a firewall. The
interface allows you to protect your system with a window saver password. When the window saver mode
engages, access is prohibited until the appropriate password is entered to reactivate the system. By
typing Help in the password dialog, you are directed to Technical Support.
OBWI
You can also use the OBWI to manage your switch. The OBWI is launched directly from the switch and
does not require a software server or any installation. With the addition of the optional RAK-key installed,
you can also establish remote KVM and virtual media sessions to target devices. For more information, see
Product Overview on page 1.
NOTE: RAK-key installation is only applicable for the 2108/2216 switch models.
Terminal console interface
The terminal console interface is accessed through the "SETUP" port. A terminal window or a PC running
terminal emulation software can be used to access the interface.
1.1.6 Virtual media and smart card support
The switch allows you to view, move or copy data located on local media and smart cards. Smart cards are
pocket-sized cards that store and process information, including identification and authentication
information, to enable access to computers, networks and secure rooms or buildings.
A virtual media or a smart card reader can be connected directly to the USB ports on the switch. In
addition, virtual media or smart card readers can be connected to any remote workstation that is running
the remote OBWI, switch software or DSView management software and is connected to the switch using
an Ethernet connection.
NOTE: To open a virtual media or smart card session with a target device, you must first connect the
target device to a switch using a USB2 or VMC IQ module.
1.1.7 IPv4 and IPv6 capabilities
The switch is compatible with systems using either of the currently used Internet Protocol Versions, IPv4
or IPv6. You can change the network settings and choose either IPv4 or IPv6 mode via the terminal
console, OSCAR interface or OBWI.
1.1.8 Access the AutoView™ switch using a standard TCP/IP network
The device is accessible for configuration via the standard TCP/IP network. If the optional RAK-key is
installed, you can access all attached systems via Ethernet. See Product Overview on page 1.
NOTE: The client connects to the switch using an Internet browser.
NOTE: KVM over IP sessions are supported on the 2108/2216 switch models when the RAK-key is
installed. RAK-key installation is only applicable for the 2108/2216 switch models.
1.1.9 Upgradeable
Upgrade your switch at any time to ensure you are always running the most current firmware version
available. For more information, see Tools - Rebooting and Upgrading on page 30.
Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | 2

1.1.10 Two-tier expansion
The switch allows you to tier one additional switch from each ARI port on the primary switch. Each tiered
switch is attached in the same manner as any device. This additional tier of units allows you to attach up
to 256 servers in one system. See Tiering Your Switch Using an IQ Module on page 7.
1.1.11 KVM remote access
A single KVM remote user is supported. You can manage remote operating system installation, operating
system recovery, hard drive recovery or duplication, BIOS updating and server backup. You must install
the optional RAK-key to a USB port to enable KVMremote access on the 2108/2216 switch models.
1.1.12 Avocent® DSView™ management software plug-in
The DSView management software can be used with the switch to allow IT administrators to securely and
remotely access and monitor target devices on multiple platforms through a single, web-based user
interface. A session can be launched to a device from a single point of access. For more information, see
the Technical Bulletin for the DSView management software plug-in.
1.1.13 Local video scaling
The switch digitizes a video signal with a maximum pixel resolution of up to 1600 x 1200 or 1680 x 1050
(widewindow), depending on the length of cable separating your switch and devices.
1.1.14 Encryption
The switch supports AES encryption of keyboard/mouse, video and virtual media sessions.
Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | 3

Vertiv | Avocent® AutoView™ 2108/2216/3108/3216 Switch Installer/User Guide | 4
This page intentionally left blank.